Fixed cartridge magazine

ABSTRACT

A firearm cartridge magazine system comprises one or more sidewalls extending between a base and an upper opening, wherein a hollow interior is defined by the base and the one or more sidewalls, wherein the upper opening opens into the hollow interior. An aperture is positioned on at least one of the one or more sidewalls between the opening and the base. A spring extends between a block and the base, wherein the spring and block are within the hollow interior.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 62/431,781 filed on Dec. 8, 2016, entitled “CARTRIDGE MAGAZINE” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the field of fixed cartridge magazines for firearms.

2. Description of Related Art

Projectiles are fired from cartridges that are positioned in a particular orientation within a firearm. The positioning of the cartridge is performed manually by the user or autonomously through a clip or magazine with a spring bias forcing the cartridge into position. Magazines are favored for their ease of use and ability to manage a large number of cartridges at a time.

Current magazines have seen little improvements over the many years they have been available. Original configurations provide for a housing that is sized relative to the caliber of the cartridge being used or the firearm accepting the magazine. Within the housing a spring provides pressure against a follower towards an opening in one end of the housing. The housing may be a rather simple rectangle to a more complex drum-style depending on the capacity of magazine to hold a large number of cartridges. Regardless of the shape, currently magazines are fixed in the number of cartridges that they can hold. That is, the magazines are not adaptable to meet varying standards of compliance.

Innovation involving firearms, and specifically their capacity to hold multiple cartridges, has been accompanied with evolving legislative standards driven by a plethora of factors from political agendas to current events. The second amendment of the United States Constitution affords the right to keep and bear arms. Such a right is often debated and such debates have resulted in individual states imposing varying regulations on firearm manufacturing including the manufacturing and pairing of peripherals such as the magazine. Specifically, some states have placed limitations on the number of cartridges a magazine is capable of housing. Other limitations include various regulations that would require the fixation of an otherwise detachable magazine in attempts to prevent rapid reloading of the firearm.

These limitations and regulations have resulted in firearm owners being forced to turn over high capacity magazines or modify their firearms and magazine in such a way to prevent rapid reloading. It has created such a high cost on the owner to have to re-purchase compliant magazines as well as the states to police and recycle non-compliant components.

Based on the foregoing, there is a need in the art for a magazine that maintains the intended convenience of reloading while being adaptable and complaint regarding the evolving limitations placed on use and ownership.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A firearm cartridge magazine system comprises one or more sidewalls extending between a base and an upper opening, wherein a hollow interior is defined by the base and the one or more sidewalls, wherein the upper opening opens into the hollow interior. An aperture is positioned on at least one of the one or more sidewalls between the opening and the base. A spring extends between a block and the base, wherein the spring and block are within the hollow interior.

In an embodiment, the system further comprises a door sealingly engaging the aperture.

In an embodiment, the door is hingedly attached to the one or more sidewalls,

In an embodiment, the door is slidingly engaged to the one or more sidewalls.

In an embodiment, the system further comprises a handle attached to the block, wherein the handle extends outward from the one or more sidewalls, wherein the one or more sidewalls has a second opening longitudinally disposed between the opening and the base, wherein the second opening is closed before the upper opening, wherein the handle facilitates manipulation of the block against the spring.

In an embodiment, the aperture accepts one or more cartridges.

In an embodiment, the one or more cartridges are positioned within the hollow interior above the block.

In an embodiment, the system further comprises a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism retains a cartridge magazine to a firearm.

The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows.

FIG. 1 is a top elevation view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top elevation view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom elevation view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a bottom elevation view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top elevation view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a bottom elevation view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top elevation view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top elevation view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a side elevation view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a side view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a side view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a side elevation view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a side elevation view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the cartridge magazine, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-43, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.

A cartridge magazine has a hollow interior defined by at a plurality of side walls attached to one another an extending from a base towards an opening at a top end. The opening at the top end is configured to facilitate the transition of a cartridge from the magazine into a firearm. A spring in communication with the base biases a block within the hollow interior toward the top end. At least one of the sidewalls has an aperture at least as large as a cartridge being inserted therein. On the opposite sidewall from the aperture a cutaway is provided generally perpendicular to the top end. A lever having one end attached to the block extends outward through the cutaway.

The top end is further configured to retain the block and spring within the magazine. For example, the opening at the top end is defined by one or more of the side walls terminating in a curve or angle towards the opening.

The aperture disposed on the sidewall extends generally parallel to the top end and is positioned on the sidewall between the top end and the base.

In another embodiment, a cover is hingedly attached to the sidewall near the aperture where the cover is of sufficient size to cover the aperture. A hinge is attached to one side of the cover either above of below the aperture allowing the cover to be in a closed position, over the aperture, when the cover is folded up towards the top or folded down towards the base. In an alternative embodiment, the cover is a door that allows for retention of the cartridges relative to the aperture and can be releasably engaged to the sidewall in a closed position to allow for the introduction of cartridges in an open position.

In an alternative embodiment, the cover is in communication with the sidewall in a sliding engagement with the sidewall to close off the aperture. The cover may extend around an exterior perimeter of the magazine as a sleeve. In some embodiments, the cover me be spring biased towards a closed position. In use, a user pulls or slides the cover away from a closed position over the aperture to an open position exposing the aperture.

In use, a user installs the magazine into a receiver of the firearm. The user then engages the cover moving it from the closed position to the open position whereby the aperture is exposed. After the aperture is exposed, the user pulls the lever against the spring bias thereby adjusting the position of the block closer to the base. When the block has been adjusted closer to the base relative to the aperture, the user inserts one or more cartridges into the hollow interior of the magazine through the aperture. The number of cartridges is determined by the user based on the number of cartridges the magazine has the capacity to hold or the number of cartridges the user intends to fire. When one or more cartridges have been inserted into the magazine, the lever is released from its adjusted position near the base allowing the spring to bias the block towards the one or more cartridges, thereby biasing the one or more cartridges towards the opening at the top end of the magazine.

In an embodiment, the lever can be locked into an adjusted position near the base while the user is inserting the one or more cartridges. In another embodiment, the lever remains unlocked requiring the user to apply continuous force to maintain the compression of the spring towards the base. Once the user releases the continuous force, the resiliency of the spring results in the biasing of the block towards the opening at the top end.

In an alternative embodiment, the cartridge magazine operates in a system with a locking mechanism to affix the magazine release and thereby affixing the magazine to the firearm. The locking mechanism has a magazine release with a plate attached to one end. A second plate of the same general dimensions as the magazine release plate is provided to affix the magazine release in position thereby preventing the articulation of the release to resulting in the magazine being permanently affixed once installed to the firearm. In an embodiment, the second plate is positioned abutting an interior surface of a trigger guard of the firearm while the release plate is positioned on a surface immediately exterior to the interior surface where the second plate is positioned. Fasteners extend between the second plate and the release plate to attach the two plates together having the trigger guard secured between the two plate.

In another embodiment, the locking mechanism has a first component engaging a first side of the firearm and extending through to a second side of the firearm. The extension of the first component attached to a second component. In some embodiments, the attachment is permanent through a fusion or clipping engagement preventing the release of the first component from the second component. In other embodiments, the attachment is releaseable wherein the second component is threadingly engaged with a threaded shank of the first component extending through the firearm. The second component prevents articulation of the first component, wherein articulation of the first component allows for release of the magazine. In this way, the first and second component work to lock the magazine in an installed position within the firearm. For an illustrative example, an AR-15 platform rifle has a magazine release operated by the depression of a button on the second side of the rifle. When the button is depressed a magazine release is removed from a locking position of the magazine. The present configuration locking mechanism would prevent the magazine release, first component, from being moved as the bottom would be permanently fixed or a locking second component would be attached to the extension of the magazine release through the firearm.

In another embodiment, the second component has a diameter or outer perimeter larger than an opening in the second side of the firearm thereby preventing the second component from entering such opening.

In an alternative embodiment, a locking mechanism is attached to the firearm platform. The locking mechanism restricts operation of a magazine release. The restricted magazine release acts to lock the cartridge magazine in attachment with the firearm platform. In another embodiment, the cartridge magazine is permanently affixed to the firearm platform. The magazine may be welded, adhered, or otherwise built within the receiver of the firearm platform. Where the cartridge magazine is built within the receiver, the firearm platform is manufactured having the cartridge magazine incorporated into the structure of the receiver.

In an embodiment, the magazine release of the firearm platform is configured to lock the cartridge magazine in communication with the firearm platform.

In an alternative embodiment the cartridge magazine has a depression or section configured to engage the magazine release of the firearm platform. The depression receives an extension of the magazine release such that the engagement between the extension of the magazine release and the depression form a locking fit between the firearm platform and the cartridge magazine. In another embodiment, the sidewall containing the depression has a tab. In a particular embodiment, the tab is spring-biased. The spring-biased tab of the sidewall is where the depression is located on the sidewall. The spring-biased tab is moveable from a resting position. The resting position of the spring-biased tab is coplanar with the remaining portion of the sidewall. In a releasing position, the tab is biased towards the interior of the cartridge magazine. Biasing the tab towards the interior allows for release of the cartridge magazine by separating the depression away from the extension. In another embodiment, the tab glidingly engages the sidewall and is moveable by sliding the tab within the resting plane.

In some embodiments, the magazine is configured to retain a specific number of cartridges therein. For example, the magazine may be configured to retain any number of cartridges and the number may be determined by statutory regulations on the allowed number of cartridges for which the magazine can retain. The magazine may have a geometric shape defined by the one or more sidewalls and the based to accommodate the desired number of cartridges. For example, a drum-style magazine has a circular shape and a ten-round magazine has a rectangular or crescent shape.

The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the invention can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A firearm cartridge magazine system comprising: a. one or more sidewalls extending between a base and an upper opening, wherein a hollow interior is defined by the base and the one or more sidewalls, wherein the upper opening opens into the hollow interior; b. an aperture on at least one of the one or more sidewalls between the opening and the base; and c. a spring extending between a block and the base, wherein the spring and block are within the hollow interior.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a door sealingly engaging the aperture.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the door is hingedly attached to the one or more sidewalls,
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the door is slidingly engaged to the one or more sidewalls.
 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a handle attached to the block, wherein the handle extends outward from the one or more sidewalls, wherein the one or more sidewalls has a second opening longitudinally disposed between the opening and the base, wherein the second opening is closed before the upper opening, wherein the handle facilitates manipulation of the block against the spring.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the aperture accepts one or more cartridges.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the one or more cartridges are positioned within the hollow interior above the block.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism retains a cartridge magazine to a firearm. 